Before The Immortals 2.
The air around was icy grip with tension. Wren facing off against the two-faced creature for the first ever lesson she could get from the Immortals.
The dimly lit chamber, once a grand palace materialized into new architecture, revealing an arena, a vast and rugged expanse, consisting of various obstacles looming on one corner.
The towering walls of rough-hewn stones enclosed in strong breeze. Deep, yawning chasms that seemed to swallow all light and sounds of a really large sparring terrain of solid grounds as shrinking shadows closing in like a suffocating shroud.
The two-faced creature eyes blazing with an otherworldly hunger, sneering at Wren as the palace changed in the background. "I've witnessed your skills so many times."
"Witness?" Wren asked then noticed her clothes were modified into distinguished fighting clothes.
"Yeah. I was also there when you froze up a dust devil—but I'm not impressed. Yet." The two-faced creature sharpened fangs elongated as red-mist strongly oozing from the Immortal. "But first we will be training in the art of close combat, using our unique abilities to gain the upper hand. No holding back, no mercy."
Wren's almond blue eyes gleaming with excitement, her fingers joyfully danced across her head. "Sounds perfect."
"Excellent!" The two-faced creature vanished right in front of Wren's eyes, reappearing behind, suddenly attacked with great force.
Wren flung away like a feather destroying many of the obstacles at the corner, along the way lightly cracking the solid ground at every rebound then smashed into the wall in smoke.
This initial training would set the tone for the two-faced creature's unorthodox and training methods pushing Wren to her very limits and beyond.
"The art of ruling is not just about power, but about finesse. A true leader must know when to strike, defend, hold back even give in." The two-faced creature revealed then crystal silence dawned on them both.
"… I'm not sure I understand." Wren voiced boldly within the rising smoke.
The two-faced creature eyes slightly widened.
She can still talk after receiving a punch from me? I thought with that punch breaking her spirit is absolute.
The other half of her face glanced at her hand she used to punched Wren.
It was half frozen, emitting chilly vapor.
Nicceee~ you should be this witted for you to be acknowledge by us. The two-faced creature thought with a smirk.
Wren dropped out from the wall she was smashed into as broken ice shattered to the ground embodied in what was thought to be smoke was the release of frosty haze from the ice, Wren used around her body to protect herself manageably.
Wren cleaned her bloodied mouth glaring yet smiling at the two-faced creature.
"Seems you understood what I said earlier, Wren. You took several steps ahead, anticipating the consequences of both you and I actions into play." The two-faced creature acknowledged.
"… oh, my bubbles…" Wren walking to the two-faced creature as her eyes glowed blue, "I will always keep that in mind," her steps increasing in paces freezing the ground beneath her feet.
The two-faced leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone charging at Wren, fangs bared, fists clenched.
"Ah, moving onto the next training session already?!" The two-faced creature shouted.
The two combatants clashed. Wren kicked as frozen bubbles, crushed at impact followed her through, aiding her in defending the blows of the two-faced creature which were swift and deadly then one of the Immortal's supernatural strength hit once again sending Wren flying across the arena.
Wren landed hard on the solid ground in frozen fragments, the wind knocked from her lungs. But she refused to yield. With a fierce determination.
Wren scrambled to her feet. She unleashed a cryo blast at the two-faced creature leaving trails of large icy crystals in its wake.
The two-faced creature calmly leaned backwards with a smirk. Wren pressed her advantage, coming with kicks with her legs both frozen for stronger effect along icily arcs destroying the surroundings.
... The battle raged on, both exchanging blows and counterattacks. Cold air filled with sounds of ice crackling, the scent of Wren's blood and sweat hanging heavy over the arena.
... Finally, after a long fight. From Wren's point of view. Every thing was dark, sounds of exhausted breathes coming from her alone then slowly and painfully Wren's eyes opened staring to the blurry ceiling of the arena. It hurts... it hurts everywhere... Wren mumbled to herself. How long was I out?
"You are awake. Good. Stand up, it's time for your next lesson. Protector." A voice was heard awakening the young queen's senses.
The young queen glared around, one of her eyes heavily bruised, holding her broken arms, her body twitching in pain while laying on the cold hard ground filled with her potency, some of the ice in slush.
The two-faced creature wasn't around, only her and whoever called her.
To Wren's amazement everything materialized once more. She was now in a serene, moonlit oasis where the very essence of nature was distilled into an intoxicating blend of beauty and tranquility, strategically glittering crystals placed around amplifying the warm ethereal glow along with vibrant flowers blooming and soft, emerald green grasses gently swaying in harmonious profusion rustling softly in the night breeze.
She stood up staggering, then strongly held her ground glaring at the hunched-back creature.
"I'm ready." Wren coughed blood.
The Immortal glancing at her with folded arms. Given the young queen's enthusiasm for combat and learning, she didn't complained or gave in just after how battered she was beaten by her first teacher. Well, that's given for what she would face in the future will be much worst than all these.
He walked to her, gently placed his large palm on her little strongly clenched fists.
"At ease, protector. All of my lessons are about how you manipulate your-is it bubbles you called it which you've really done fine until now." A hint of smile slightly revealed on his face to ease the atmosphere. "But first of all, let's make this lesson interesting…"